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I had a couple little issues that I'll write down for anyone diagnosing problems later.

1. I went to start the car, but didn't start it all the way. (turned it over for a second and then went back to IGN 2) When I let off the key there was a POP. The car ran terrible, shuddering and stalling after a second or two.

SOLUTION? My hose from the ICV to the intake on the M50 had popped out. Pushing it back in fixed the problem.

2. There are a few grounds in the engine bay that are safe to ground things to. These ones, with those little bolt-able shims/clips, are no good.

I had a weird bogging issue that seems to be resolved by moving my harness ground to the strut tower, rather than one of those clip things. (on the inside support of the strut tower)

ALSO (thanks to Everlast)

For some discussion, I've figured out the following so far (prepare for some pretty noob shit)

Is this accurate to how a supercharger would be set up?

I keep seeing a line from the top of the BOVs I look at. Is this a vacuum line? Where does it hook into?

How much custom tuning do I require? Get BMWConnect to write me a chip that I can put into my DME, or do I need Megasquirt/similar?

Officially I don't think the colour of the injectors means anything. Just go based off of the part number. You can check that they both have the same pintle design and impedance just to be sure.

That diagram is incorrect. The intercooler has to go between the supercharger and the motor. The goal of the intercooler is to remove heat that was added to the charged air from the compression.

The line on the BOV is a vacuum line, it hooks into the same spot where your fuel pressure regulator gets vacuum. When you go off throttle while under boost, once the throttle plate is closed pressure will continue to build between the compressor and the throttle plate unless it has a way to be released. That’s where the BOV comes in, and that’s why it’s vacuum actuated.

Tuning depends on what your plans are. If you are only going to run one boost level then a chip will be ok. However if you ever want to change pulleys for more boost you'll need to get a new chip.

Air to water intercoolers aren't very big to begin with, so I'd say as big as you can fit.

Officially I don't think the colour of the injectors means anything. Just go based off of the part number. You can check that they both have the same pintle design and impedance just to be sure.

What kind of lbs should I go with? Obviously the stock 17# M50 injectors that are in there are too small. What size should I be going with?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullet Ride

That diagram is incorrect. The intercooler has to go between the supercharger and the motor. The goal of the intercooler is to remove heat that was added to the charged air from the compression.

Does the intercooler go before or after the BOV? Or does it even matter?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullet Ride

The line on the BOV is a vacuum line, it hooks into the same spot where your fuel pressure regulator gets vacuum. When you go off throttle while under boost, once the throttle plate is closed pressure will continue to build between the compressor and the throttle plate unless it has a way to be released. That’s where the BOV comes in, and that’s why it’s vacuum actuated..

So I'd just get a coupling and attach that line to the intake at the same place?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullet Ride

Tuning depends on what your plans are. If you are only going to run one boost level then a chip will be ok. However if you ever want to change pulleys for more boost you'll need to get a new chip..

Which do you think is more cost effective?

How do I choose what pully to run?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullet Ride

Air to water intercoolers aren't very big to begin with, so I'd say as big as you can fit.

These go on the front clip, the same as a regular air intercooler, correct?

So the main things I need to buy for this are:

1. Supercharger2. Recirculating BOV (like this one)3. Air to water Intercooler
4. Pully for the M50 crank
5. Chip
6. Pipes (I found a bunch on ebay, just figure out in the car approx what I need and buy?)
7. Vacuum line for BOV
8. Larger vacuum line for recirculation

What kind of lbs should I go with? Obviously the stock 17# M50 injectors that are in there are too small. What size should I be going with?

Depends on how much power you are planning on making. Do the few simple calculations found in the links I posted. I'd go for something like a 42# injector. That should be good for around 300whp.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxBell

Does the intercooler go before or after the BOV? Or does it even matter?

Some people have a BOV on both sides of the intercooler
It doesn't really matter, as long as it's somewhere between the compressor and the throttle body. If you'r plan is to do a recirculating BOV then it would make sense to have it somewhere just past the outlet of the compressor to reduce the amount of plumbing required.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxBell

So I'd just get a coupling and attach that line to the intake at the same place?

Yeah you can just T off the FPR or you can drill and tap that little plate that bolts in and add a barb to it

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxBell

Which do you think is more cost effective?

How do I choose what pully to run?

It depends on how comfortable you think you'd be with tuning. There's plenty of good information and resources out there (including a few of the guys on this board) for those interested in learning to tune. It will take a good amount of time an effort compared to just paying someone else for a chip, but at the end of the day you will have learned some valuable skills. Obviously if you're not comfortable with tuning buying a chip will be the most cost effective, because a mistake while tuning (it would have to be a fairly big muck up) can result in things like a blown head gasket or worse

The pulley will depend on the unit. You'll have to do a bit of research to determine what pulley will give you what psi.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxBell

These go on the front clip, the same as a regular air intercooler, correct?

The radiator for the air to water intercooler will have to go on the front clip, but the air to water unit itself is usually tucked in the engine bay somewhere

Here's an M20 with an air to water unit

And a picture of the unit that the M30 TCD kit uses

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxBell

So the main things I need to buy for this are:

1. Supercharger
2. Recirculating BOV (like this one)
3. Air to water Intercooler
4. Pully for the M50 crank
5. Chip
6. Pipes (I found a bunch on ebay, just figure out in the car approx what I need and buy?)
7. Vacuum line for BOV
8. Larger vacuum line for recirculation

Is that generally it?

3. Is there any reason you are going with air to water instead of air to air? Air to water is more expensive.
4. You need more than a pulley and a belt tensioner. I'd recommend looking at Denny's build. He's already done all the foot work for you.
6. You can buy a kit off ebay that comes with piping and an air to air intercooler for pretty cheap.
8. Whatever the size is that your BOV requires, doesn't have to be vac line, it can be rubber coolant line or w/e.

Ok, so I've been reading through the resources that Bullet Ride posted. All very informative, but it's like information overload. I'm starting to think I'd like to get into tuning, but I'm not sure yet.

If I can offer one tip: do NOT shortcut rust repair. If you think it's "good enough" it's not good enough. If you think it's "overkill", it's adequate. If you think it's "mind blowingly brand new fresh metal with no iron oxide anywhere ever", then its good enough.

There is no buzz kill like a beautiful paint job that rust bubbles 2 months later.

If I can offer one tip: do NOT shortcut rust repair. If you think it's "good enough" it's not good enough. If you think it's "overkill", it's adequate. If you think it's "mind blowingly brand new fresh metal with no iron oxide anywhere ever", then its good enough.

There is no buzz kill like a beautiful paint job that rust bubbles 2 months later.

Yeh, I'm going crazy with sanding to metal and then acid washing and then using etching primer on the metal.

I've gotta set up a time to come tackle the rocker and quarter panel holes.